Know exactly what the IRS makes you withdraw.
Enter your retirement account balance and age and see this year's Required Minimum Distribution, the share of your balance it represents, and how your RMDs and balance move year by year using the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
Your account
RMDs begin at age 73 under SECURE 2.0. Traditional IRA, 401(k), 403(b) and similar tax-deferred accounts. Roth IRAs are exempt during your lifetime.
What this means for you
Balance and required withdrawals over time
How fast the required share grows
RMD as a percentage of your balance
RMD scorecard
Year-by-year RMD schedule
Each year the balance grows by your expected return and then the RMD for that age is withdrawn. Factors come from the IRS Uniform Lifetime Table.
| Age | Factor | Start balance | RMD | % of balance |
|---|
Required Minimum Distributions, explained
What Are Required Minimum Distributions
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are mandatory annual withdrawals that the IRS requires from tax-deferred retirement accounts such as Traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and 403(b)s. The purpose of RMDs is to ensure that money held in tax-advantaged accounts is eventually taxed as income rather than passed on indefinitely. Under the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs must begin by April 1 of the year following the year you turn 73, and the age will increase to 75 starting in 2033. Roth IRAs are exempt from RMDs during the account owner's lifetime, which is one of their key advantages for retirement and estate planning.
IRS Uniform Lifetime Table Explained
The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table is the standard table used to calculate your annual RMD amount by providing a distribution period based on your age. To determine your RMD, you divide your account balance as of December 31 of the prior year by the distribution period factor for your current age. For example, at age 75 the distribution period is 24.6, so an account with a $500,000 balance would require a minimum withdrawal of approximately $20,325. The distribution period decreases each year as you age, meaning your RMD percentage grows larger over time. A separate Joint Life and Last Survivor table applies if your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger.
RMD Rules for Different Account Types
RMD rules vary depending on the type of retirement account. Traditional IRAs, SEP IRAs, and SIMPLE IRAs each require separate RMD calculations, but you can take the total required amount from any one or combination of your IRA accounts. Workplace plans like 401(k)s and 403(b)s require RMDs to be taken from each plan individually and cannot be aggregated across accounts. If you are still working past age 73, you may be able to delay RMDs from your current employer's 401(k) under the still-working exception, but this does not apply to IRAs or plans from former employers. Inherited retirement accounts have their own distinct RMD rules, which were significantly changed by the SECURE Act of 2019.
Strategies to Minimize the Tax Impact of RMDs
Several strategies can help reduce the tax burden of Required Minimum Distributions. Roth conversions before age 73 allow you to move money from a Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA, paying taxes now at potentially lower rates to avoid larger RMDs later. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) let you donate up to $105,000 per year directly from your IRA to charity, satisfying your RMD without adding to your taxable income. Timing your first RMD carefully matters as well, because delaying your first distribution to April 1 means taking two RMDs in the same calendar year, which could push you into a higher tax bracket. Starting withdrawals strategically in your 60s can also smooth out your tax liability across retirement.
Common questions
When do I have to start taking RMDs?
As of the SECURE 2.0 Act, RMDs must begin at age 73 for those born between 1951-1959, and age 75 for those born in 1960 or later. Your first RMD is due by April 1 of the year after you turn the applicable age. Subsequent RMDs are due by December 31 each year.
How is my RMD calculated?
Your RMD is calculated by dividing your retirement account balance (as of December 31 of the prior year) by the IRS life expectancy factor for your age. For example, at age 73 the factor is 26.5, so a $500,000 balance would require a $18,868 withdrawal.
What happens if I do not take my RMD?
The penalty for missing an RMD was reduced from 50% to 25% by the SECURE 2.0 Act, and can be further reduced to 10% if corrected promptly. On a $18,868 RMD, the 25% penalty would be $4,717. Always take your RMD on time.
Do Roth IRAs have RMDs?
No, Roth IRAs do not have RMDs during the original owner's lifetime. This is one of the biggest advantages of Roth accounts. However, inherited Roth IRAs do have distribution requirements for non-spouse beneficiaries under the SECURE Act.
Can I take more than the minimum required distribution?
Yes, you can withdraw more than the RMD at any time. However, excess withdrawals cannot be applied to future years' RMDs. Taking larger distributions may make sense if you are in a lower tax bracket or want to reduce future RMDs and the associated tax burden.
Estimates for planning only. The IRS Uniform Lifetime Table applies to most account owners; a separate Joint Life table is used when your sole beneficiary is a spouse more than 10 years younger. Inherited accounts follow different rules. Confirm your exact figures with your plan administrator or tax advisor before withdrawing.